The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-08-24
SAN MATEO'S OUTLAW
The Terror Caused by the Operations Of Rap
pei VIdsl.
Badly Frightened Citizens-Organization
ola Vigilance Committee for the Pur-
pose OF Hanging him.
IAlta Californian

II ran across the toughest citizen of San
Mateo County during q recent investiga-
ton there" said local detective while
giving an account of his trip to an Alta re-
porter yesterday. In answer to inquiries
the keen-eyed operative related the daring
escapades OF Rappel Videl, the outlaw
terror. 1t was early In The '70's that he
first made his appearance in San Mateo
county. When he first entered the county
his favorite pastime was stealing horses.
This caused his arrest in 1873 and imbfis-
onlnent in the County Jail at Redwood
City. he broke jail, but was recaptured
and completed his sentence. Then he dis
appeared for time, and sought new fields
| in the Southern part of the State. That
section of the country finally becoming too
hot for HIM, he returned to his old haunts
three years ago. Since that time his ant
les have caused him to be styled the 'bad
man of San Mateo."
According to the statement of the Dis
| trict Attorney, he is the only bad man in
the county. 1t would seem that the officers
| are afraid to arrest them. So frightened
have the residents become that no one
| dsres to lodge complaint or swear out
warrant against him, as he has threatened
| to kill the first person who does so.
| Whether he is buffer or a desperate
| fighter no one knows. 1t is sufficient to
say that none of the citizens have possessed
| sufficient backbone to resist his bluffs and
| give him battle. If the tough depends on
bis appearance to Brighten the timid citi-
| zens he has certa' My been successful He
/ is a large, powerful man, and his belt is al
ways adorned with q pair of hugh six
! shooters, which he manipulates with con-
\ siderable skill. He speaks broken English,
but bis face wears such tendish express
sion that his demands are complied with
| IN great haste.
! eyes of the people were first opened to the
''greaser's" daring by the manner in which
| he obtained wife. A Portuguese laborer
was living in the little hamlet of San Fell
ipe, which boasts OF three houses. Early
| one morning the Portuguese was confront
ed by Videl, who held his favorite shoot
ing irons in his hands. 81 nka your
wifs," said the renegade, land / want her.
You giva her to me, or l killa you both"
The frightened Portuguese hastily replied
Gail righta, Mr.. Rappel, you take her.
and fed from the house, leaving the ''ter
orr in undisputed possession. The de-
posed husband received such a scare that
he neither made any attempt to raclaim
his house or spouse, and Videl has re-
manned in possession of both ever since.
A week later the outlaw was gone several
days on grand drunk and bulldozing ex-
petition through Halfmoon Bay and
San Mateo. During his ab-
sence he heard that one
of the Murphy brothers, who run a saloon
at San Felipe, had been intimate with his
WIFE" He quickly returned loaded to the
neck with bad whisky, with blood in his
eye, and with a determination to "clean
out'' the Murphys. When he rushed into
the saloon the proprietors of the place
quickly retreated and hid in the sage
brush. 1t was with many pangs that they
watched the "cleaning.out" process of the
ex-horse thief. What he could not smash
or destroy was thrown out into the road.
way. Every lamp, bottle and piece OF
glassware in the house was demolished and
the liquor wasted. 1t was thus without q
protest that Murphys saw the savings Of
and the outlaw becoming emboldened by
success, carried on his raids in other local
tiles with still higher hand.
A thirsty tourist stepped off the train 81
San Mateo last week, and entered the bar
room for the purpose of refreshing the in
ner man. When he went in he saw the
barkeeper white as q sheet and tremblinG
in every limb. Here, barkeeper, what's the
matter with you" asked the recent arrival
'hurry up, and give me gin today"
''Oh, Godw replied the frightened mix
alogist; "he has been here"
"Wbo is hep
why, him-Videl--" said the bar
keeper. pointing to the bad man" whC
re-entered the place at that moment.
TT tourist was saying, "Pd like to SCI
the man that would scare me-" wher
be felt the cold muzzle Of the revolve
pressed against his temple. Say, strang
err" cody spoke the renegade, "you tax
some whisks with mea. This is a oni
thu barkeepea."
: The tourist complscently gave up the gil
toddy, and after gulping down a tumbler
full Of "tarantula juice" made his escap
from town on the next train, although b
had intended to remain several weeks.
Terror is no word for the fear with whicl
the ex-convict is regarded. In the variou
saloons and hotels in the vicinity of Hal
Moon Bay and San Mateo, everything ha
been free to him. At times he has dc
manded money from hotel or saloon men
who have given it rather than risk hi
anger. Videl ran San Mateo in such
bigh-banded manner on the 4th of Jul
that the young men of the town detel
mined to capture and Kill him. The
| gathered in groups of ten and twelve on tn
! corners, each vowing vengeance. Fac
declared their eagerness for an encouC
| ter. Finally the burly form of Rappel wa
seen emerging from q saloon, and with
hasty exclamation of there he comes" To
youths fed preci pltately in all directions
Videl continued to brighten saloon-keepel
7 and drink at Their expense until 8 o'cloc
J. | in the evening. Then messenger was sen
: to Redwood City asking the Sheriff to sen
q posse and arrest the terror" pos
4 was formed, but singular to relate, th
officers did not reach San Mateo until a
hour after midnight, when Videl had quie
J ly made himself scarce. What kept til
| vigilant officers away so long? The cit
!. zens of San Mateo were Of the opinion tn
3 they were afraid to encounter Videl an
7 that they purposely postponed enterI
;. the town until he had departed.
!, Since then the young men Of the tow
= have held several meetings and formed
. vigilance committee. They have sworn
: make Videl stretch hemp" the next tin
g he appears on the warpath.
ASLEEP SEVEN MONTHS.